Like the Product or Not, these Super Bowl 50 Commercials were Great

By Joanne Kong

Twitter: @kongfu4u  Super Bowl Commercials

There were some amazing, as in unbelievable, moments in Super Bowl 50.

• First, Cam Newton got sacked 6 times (and Ted Ginn was sacked once for good measure).
• Second, Cam Newton never “dabbed,” mainly because he didn’t throw or rush for a single touchdown.
• Third, this unfortunate thing happened….

• …Peyton Manning fumbled the ball, leading to a Carolina Panthers touchdown (well, maybe this isn’t so unbelievable).
• Fourth, the Carolina Panthers only scored 10 points.
• Fifth, the Denver Broncos won Super Bowl 50 even WITH Peyton Manning as their quarterback…I didn’t doubt the Broncos for a second.

But, in between the action on the field, there were the long awaited (365 days since Super Bowl 49) Super Bowl commercials.  And were they as amazing and unbelievable as the game itself?  As I did last year, let me help answer that question.

In no particular order, here are some of the more notable commercials of the evening.

HYUNDAI – FIRST DATE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R_483zeVF8

Why We Love It: Kevin Hart.  The idea of the lengths a father will go through to protect his daughter.

The only thing hard to believe in this commercial is that Kevin Hart would have a daughter that old.  He doesn’t.  Heaven Hart (shown below with her father, Kevin Hart) is only 10-years-old.  Now she knows what to expect when she starts dating, a would-be Romeo.  And a lot of NSA-type tracking.

AMAZON ECHO – ALEC BALDWIN PARTIES

In true Super Bowl fashion, Amazon pulled out the celebrities, the food and the over-the-top ridiculousness which make up exactly what Super Bowl commercials are known for.

SNICKERS – WILLEM DAFOE as MARILYN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UyVgaFE8-s

If you love Marilyn Monroe and the iconic image of her standing above a subway grate (below), maybe this wasn’t the commercial for you.

A continuation of Snickers “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” ads during the Super Bowl, Willem Dafoe follows in the footsteps of Betty White and last years ‘Brady Bunch Snickers Commercial’ starring Danny Trejo as Marcia and Steve Buscemi as Jane.  A parody of Monroe’s “Seven Year Itch,” you won’t forget William Dafoe as Marilyn Monroe… whether you want to or not.

AVOCADOS FROM MEXICO – MUSEUM OF EARTHLY WONDERS

ABC Breaking News | Latest News Videos

I don’t know about you, but I don’t go into a supermarket and specifically look for avocados from Mexico.  I usually look for the ones on sale.  Does this commercial want to make me eat more avocados?  Don’t know if that’s possible.  But, I do know the best part of this commercial is how the tour guide explains the exhibits.  The Cube of Rubix was considered unsolvable.  A twenty-first century torture devise…coach class seating.  Emoji’s were Earth’s alphabet.

You wouldn’t think Aliens would have any interest in Earth’s avocados, but this group is willing to disintegrate for double dipping.  Two great messages.  Earth is known for their awesome avocados and don’t double-dip.

SHOCK TOP BEER – “YO…TJ MILLER”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDDfEIq9kI4

Obviously, TJ Miller has had a little too much to drink as he verbally battles it out with a Shock Top Beer dispenser handle at a bar, and loses.  But despite this hallucination, the insults are quick witted and makes me want to buy Shock Top Beer for my next party.   Maybe, it will make me as quick witted.  Or at least make me think I am.

AXE – THE TRUTH ABOUT MEN

Switching from their previous successful slogan of making men irresistible, AXE has taken on a new spin on what makes men desirable…by redefining what makes men individuals.  As catchy as the previous commercials were, AXE shows us it just you that makes you and that’s awesome enough.  For over-the-counter no fuss affordable men’s products, AXE can’t be beat and it smells good too.

HEINZ – WEINNER DOGS in WEINNER COSTOMS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNN9nL2vppM

The commercial was clever in its use of a pack of wiener dogs dressed like wieners, racing towards humans dressed like condiments.

The depiction was vivid and clear, the product was memorable and the dogs were cute.  I think it fits all the criteria for a successful commercial.

PEPSI – JANELLE MONAE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCDjsTSWmoo

I’m not a Pepsi drinker and this commercial didn’t convince me to drink Pepsi, but the commercial was as entertaining as any Super Bowl halftime show.  What more can you ask for in a Super Bowl commercial?

HYUNDAI ELANTRA – RYANVILLE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2NJm_zIyMI

You’re traveling through Ryanville with a population of YES…if this place only existed, in your Hyundai Elantra.  The premise – there’s a lot of distractions in this world (most of which aren’t as attractive as Ryan Reynolds).  The solution – the Hyundai Elantra with auto emergency breaking with pedestrian detection.  The catch line – A car that doesn’t get distracted.  This commercial shows Ryan Reynolds in all of his manliness.

Would I buy a Hyundai Elantra?  NO.

Was it entertaining? YES.

Is Ryan Reynolds hot? HELL YES.

LG OLED TV – THE FUTURE IS HERE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzLfPx-8OuM

Whether you like this commercial or not, the product was super cool and there was the additive bonus of Liam Neeson.  As thin as glass, the LG OLED TV’s panel is one-tenth of an inch thick, and as sleek as the definition of sleek.  After the commercial, I went on the internet to check out the cost of this 65-inch signature 4k Ultra HD OLED TV.  It arrives in selective stores Monday, and currently taking pre-orders.  If you have an extra $7,999.99, it can be yours.  Wanting something, and maybe even buying something you can’t afford…isn’t that the true sign of a successful advertisement?

***

There were plenty more Super Bowl commercials, but honestly, a lot of them were, well, let’s just say “not as entertaining”.  Which ones, you ask?  Well, not to worry, I’m going to save you from having to watch them all again as I’ll be covering the worst Super Bowl commercials next!